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Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Professional Programs at UT Tyler

Physician assistants (PA) play a critical role in the dispensation of health care.
In general, PAs provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health-care services
under the supervision of physicians. As a part of a health-care team, PAs take medical
histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays,
make diagnoses and prescribe medications. Therefore, PAs are expected to undergo a
rigorous training program that includes several core courses in biology, chemistry,
physics, math as well as psychology and social sciences.

After the completion of the B.S. degree with the required courses, individuals are
eligible to apply for two-year PA programs at various universities. Most PA programs
require a college degree and some health-related work experience.

The pre-physician assistant program at UT Tyler is designed to not only meet the admission
requirements of the seven PA programs in Texas but also most PA programs in the United
States. Please note that the requirements for admission to the PA program vary substantially;
individuals are strongly advised to consult programs in which they are interested.

Employment prospects and compensation: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
job prospects are very good for PAs across the United States but particularly in rural
and inner city areas. PA employment is expected to grow by 39% from 2008 to 2018 –
much faster than the average for all occupations. More than 100,000 people are expected
to be employed as PAs by 2018. The median annual income for PAs is about $85,000 and
ranges from $75,000 to more than $100,000 per year depending on industry of employment,
years of experience and geographical location.

Pre-Physician Assistant Program Advising: All pre-physician assistant advising is
done by Dr. James Koukl, chief health professions advisor. He is a member of the Texas
Association of Advisors for the Health Professions and the National Association of
Advisors for the Health Professions and is available to help students make important
choices regarding curriculum, extra-curricular activities, application process and
degree requirements.

Undergraduate Major: PA programs generally do not specify a particular major; but
please check with individual programs for their requirements. A rigorous science,
math and humanities education is expected as these skills are essential for the PA
program and employment as a PA. Select a major that you not only enjoy but one that
will demand excellence in critical thinking, expository and persuasive writing, oral
communication, critical reading, research and organization. Also, seek out a curriculum
that requires research papers, substantial reading, laboratory experiences, essay
exams and oral presentations.

Curriculum: The required curriculum of courses for the seven PA programs is shown
here. These requirements are subject to change anytime; check back often for updates
and be sure to visit the school Web site to obtain the latest information. PA programs
usually require a combination of science (biology, chemistry, physics), math, and
humanities. Please note that many schools require that the core courses are taken
recently (e.g., five years or less).

Courses required by one or more Texas PA programs are: General Biology I, General
Biology II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, microbiology, genetics, immunology, physiology,
General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry
II, statistics, general psychology, psychology/sociology elective, English (six-nine
hours), college algebra or higher.

Programs outside of Texas may require courses such as university Physics I and II,
cell biology, cell and molecular biology, additional courses in mathematics, etc.
These courses are also available at UT Tyler. Please check individual PA programs
for admission requirements.

For more information or questions concerning courses at UT Tyler that will fulfill
physician assistant school prerequisites please contact: